Do You Prefer Newer or Older cars?
Discussion
Older cars definitely better. I have a lease EV for pottering and work, a 2015 Passat for dependability but it is very dull, and a 996 C2.
I am often tempted to change the Passat for a E39 530i Sport Touring, 98-2005 was peak car for me. Character and feedback are the main bits missing from current new cars. It’s easy to retrofit a head unit with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. I don’t need lane departure warning, digital dials or any of the other new fangled “developments”.
I am often tempted to change the Passat for a E39 530i Sport Touring, 98-2005 was peak car for me. Character and feedback are the main bits missing from current new cars. It’s easy to retrofit a head unit with Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. I don’t need lane departure warning, digital dials or any of the other new fangled “developments”.
cerb4.5lee said:
toon10 said:
The older I get, comfort and convenience are more important to me for 95% of my journeys than a car that lights up on a twisty lane.
...I'll hand my PH membership in on the way out
I'm definitely heading in this direction sadly as well. I've been out roof down this afternoon in the 370Z...and the noisy exhaust was starting to get on my nerves a tiny bit, and I got sick of changing gear myself with the manual gearbox too. I'm losing the plot it seems for sure! ...I'll hand my PH membership in on the way out
I definitely want to be young again.
Om said:
What you need is a 370z with a quiet exhaust and an automatic gearbox...
s m said:
Maybe one of those Nissan Infinitis Lee with the 370Z engine and auto box 
SidewaysSi said:
That M4 has ruined you. Soon you will be driving an EV at this rate...
Apologies guys. I'm definitely losing the plot it seems for sure! 
cerb4.5lee said:
toon10 said:
The older I get, comfort and convenience are more important to me for 95% of my journeys than a car that lights up on a twisty lane.
...I'll hand my PH membership in on the way out
I'm definitely heading in this direction sadly as well. I've been out roof down this afternoon in the 370Z...and the noisy exhaust was starting to get on my nerves a tiny bit, and I got sick of changing gear myself with the manual gearbox too. I'm losing the plot it seems for sure! ...I'll hand my PH membership in on the way out
I definitely want to be young again.
If so bin the Auto, rev it out and enjoy!
Or just head to the barge thread.
Both of my cars are about 15 years old with RWD, manual gearboxes, straight 6 N/A petrol engines - there isn't much newer that I'd prefer.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Thursday 24th June 00:44
Mouse Rat said:
Modern cars now are better products but compromised due to safety requirements, emissions, fashion etc which makes them worse cars.
Like others have said. Late 80's to early 00's was peak car.
I’d say this is pretty much it. Like others have said. Late 80's to early 00's was peak car.
New cars really are a compromise, for all the advances in manufacturing methods, corrosion resistance and NVH levels; all which should make them better cars.
However throw in all the nanny-state interference; speed limiting for instance, LDWS… new cars are simply motorised computers which beep and bong at you constantly if you’re doing something the computer doesn’t like. Open the door with the keys in? BEEP BEEP BEEP. Move off without a seatbelt? BEEP BEEP BEEP. Open the door without the handbrake engaged on an auto? BEEP BEEP BEEP. Stray over the white centreline on a twisty country lane? BEEP BEEP BEEP. Car in a different lane pulling off a DC into some services? BEEP BEEP BEEP MAJOR BEEP.
Combine that with interiors that aren’t designed anymore; as everything revolves around a touchscreen, top-heavy faux SUVs or crossovers for urban use(?!!), everything made out of plastic, emissions guff which is more of a reliability hinderance than the problem it solves and everything only available in either white, grey or black, peak car has long since passed IMO.
What metrics are you defining better by though?
Is it some notional driving pleasure, measured by B road activity? Traffic light GPness? Mythical visits to Wales, Scotland, the Ring? Ability to feel chippings through your finger tips?
Now, I’ll look at it from my wife’s point of view.
The Integrale was noisy and smelt of petrol.
The 4C is cramped, noisy, uncomfortable, can’t turn the bloody steering, has no heaty bottom button, can’t get in, can’t get out, no luggage room.
The Sagaris was more under warranty than under her own power. Oh and it broke down on the way to see her wedding band.
The 308 GTS we simply refer to as The Divorce Car.
The Griffith wasn’t working, so he took me out in the Fiesta to propose instead.
Her metrics are somewhat different to “ours”.
Is it some notional driving pleasure, measured by B road activity? Traffic light GPness? Mythical visits to Wales, Scotland, the Ring? Ability to feel chippings through your finger tips?
Now, I’ll look at it from my wife’s point of view.
The Integrale was noisy and smelt of petrol.
The 4C is cramped, noisy, uncomfortable, can’t turn the bloody steering, has no heaty bottom button, can’t get in, can’t get out, no luggage room.
The Sagaris was more under warranty than under her own power. Oh and it broke down on the way to see her wedding band.
The 308 GTS we simply refer to as The Divorce Car.
The Griffith wasn’t working, so he took me out in the Fiesta to propose instead.
Her metrics are somewhat different to “ours”.
I currently daily a b7 RS4 Saloon. It’s utterly standard. Quick, quiet, comfortable and no DAB or Bluetooth. It’s just about as modern as I want.
If i want a big, thirsty, noisy v8…. I take out my 1985 90 Land Rover… no electric windows (no door windows at all) no stereo, no carpet, no lots off stuff.
My nephew sent me a video of his friends Tesla the other day… the owner was showing him how it can do fart noises. Yawn.
You only have to watch new car adverts on tv.. mobile wifi hotspots, for the ‘influencers’. Not for me.
If i want a big, thirsty, noisy v8…. I take out my 1985 90 Land Rover… no electric windows (no door windows at all) no stereo, no carpet, no lots off stuff.
My nephew sent me a video of his friends Tesla the other day… the owner was showing him how it can do fart noises. Yawn.
You only have to watch new car adverts on tv.. mobile wifi hotspots, for the ‘influencers’. Not for me.
DeejRC said:
What metrics are you defining better by though?
Is it some notional driving pleasure, measured by B road activity? Traffic light GPness? Mythical visits to Wales, Scotland, the Ring? Ability to feel chippings through your finger tips?
Now, I’ll look at it from my wife’s point of view.
The Integrale was noisy and smelt of petrol.
The 4C is cramped, noisy, uncomfortable, can’t turn the bloody steering, has no heaty bottom button, can’t get in, can’t get out, no luggage room.
The Sagaris was more under warranty than under her own power. Oh and it broke down on the way to see her wedding band.
The 308 GTS we simply refer to as The Divorce Car.
The Griffith wasn’t working, so he took me out in the Fiesta to propose instead.
Her metrics are somewhat different to “ours”.
You are a braver man than me with that back catalogue. No wonder she can't be arsed with older cars. Is it some notional driving pleasure, measured by B road activity? Traffic light GPness? Mythical visits to Wales, Scotland, the Ring? Ability to feel chippings through your finger tips?
Now, I’ll look at it from my wife’s point of view.
The Integrale was noisy and smelt of petrol.
The 4C is cramped, noisy, uncomfortable, can’t turn the bloody steering, has no heaty bottom button, can’t get in, can’t get out, no luggage room.
The Sagaris was more under warranty than under her own power. Oh and it broke down on the way to see her wedding band.
The 308 GTS we simply refer to as The Divorce Car.
The Griffith wasn’t working, so he took me out in the Fiesta to propose instead.
Her metrics are somewhat different to “ours”.
That lot would have turned many a PHer to the joy of a modern car/appliance
I would like to re-visit brand-new early 00s cars like the Mk3 Mondeo and 5-Series. My memory of them is that they were very good.
Add in a DAB radio and a bluetooth phone connection and they wouldn't be lacking much that a modern car offers. We have a 15 year old Fiesta with those very mods and it is a great car. Google Maps on a phone/tablet offers more than most oem satnavs.
Add in a DAB radio and a bluetooth phone connection and they wouldn't be lacking much that a modern car offers. We have a 15 year old Fiesta with those very mods and it is a great car. Google Maps on a phone/tablet offers more than most oem satnavs.
I agree with others, anything from the 80's to mid 00's is the peak.
I have dailied a 93 Skyline GTS-t and my 06 Crown and I'd say that if it's your only car going for late 90's into 00's would be the best overall, if you have two then 80's onwards for the garage car and then something blander for ferrying yourself around.
I have dailied a 93 Skyline GTS-t and my 06 Crown and I'd say that if it's your only car going for late 90's into 00's would be the best overall, if you have two then 80's onwards for the garage car and then something blander for ferrying yourself around.
Petrolism said:
That is stunning in every way 
JustGREENI said:
My nephew sent me a video of his friends Tesla the other day… the owner was showing him how it can do fart noises. Yawn.
Ditto here - my brother has a Tesla and apart from showing me it's pretty quick but could only do 1 pull in "full on" mode as was worried he would not make it back home on a charge - he also showed me the fart noises. Wow. I'll stick with my 80s and 90s motors as they do as intended.It's like having an electric lawn mower and with a fart button on it - what's the point. How does that differentiate it from a petrol lawn mowing in a meaningful way.
My daily is 1994.
Didnt plan it, Just kinda happened.
Iv got electric windows, a massive electric sunroof, cruise control a lazy autbox and a 2.8 diesel, Selectable 4wd on the move, Low range, Diff lockers etc... And still towers over the standard Qashqai or Kuga that are everywhere now so no visibility issues and feels like I'm sitting on a couch when driving.
All for £1500.
Didnt plan it, Just kinda happened.
Iv got electric windows, a massive electric sunroof, cruise control a lazy autbox and a 2.8 diesel, Selectable 4wd on the move, Low range, Diff lockers etc... And still towers over the standard Qashqai or Kuga that are everywhere now so no visibility issues and feels like I'm sitting on a couch when driving.
All for £1500.
E36Ross said:
My daily is 1994.
Didnt plan it, Just kinda happened.
Iv got electric windows, a massive electric sunroof, cruise control a lazy autbox and a 2.8 diesel, Selectable 4wd on the move, Low range, Diff lockers etc... And still towers over the standard Qashqai or Kuga that are everywhere now so no visibility issues and feels like I'm sitting on a couch when driving.
All for £1500.
Intriguing - what is it? Shogun, Land Cruiser? Didnt plan it, Just kinda happened.
Iv got electric windows, a massive electric sunroof, cruise control a lazy autbox and a 2.8 diesel, Selectable 4wd on the move, Low range, Diff lockers etc... And still towers over the standard Qashqai or Kuga that are everywhere now so no visibility issues and feels like I'm sitting on a couch when driving.
All for £1500.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I bought this '92 Maserati Biturbo a couple of weeks ago, the interior is nice and simple yet elegant, it has everything I need and feels a lot more comfortable than most of the modern stuff I've driven recently (the seats of which are often flat and unsupportive) it's not as complicated as some would have you believe and it all still works....
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